Shakur was born in New York City to parents who were both political activists and Black Panther Party members. Raised by his mother, he relocated to Baltimore in 1984 and to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988. With the release of his debut album 2Pacalypse Now in 1991, he became a central figure in West Coast hip-hop for his conscious rap lyrics. Shakur achieved further critical and commercial success with his follow-up albums Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... (1993) and Me Against the World (1995). His Diamond certified album All Eyez on Me (1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap. In addition to his music career, Shakur also found considerable success as an actor, with his starring roles in Juice (1992), Poetic Justice (1993), Above the Rim (1994), Bullet (1996), Gridlock'd (1997), and Gang Related (1997).
During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, including incarceration. In 1995, Shakur served eight months in prison on sexual abuse charges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction. Following his release, he signed to Marion "Suge" Knight's label Death Row Records and became heavily involved in the growing East Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry. On September 7, 1996, Shakur was shot four times by an unidentified assailant in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival, the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud, but was also murdered in another drive-by shooting six months later in March 1997 while visiting Los Angeles.
Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, all of which have been certified Platinum in the United States. In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Shakur among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, in the East Harlem section of Manhattan in New York City. While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur. He was named after Túpac Amaru II, the descendant of the last Incan ruler, Túpac Amaru, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after his failed revolt against Spanish rule. Shakur's mother explained, "I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood."
Shakur had an older stepbrother, Mopreme "Komani" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior.
01. Troublesome 96'
2Pac Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Troublesome 19-motherfuckin' 96 (Westside!)
Let it be known nigga
Boss of all bosses, Makaveli
Menacin' methods label me a lethal weapon
Makin' niggas die witnessin' breathless imperfections
Can you picture my specific plan?
Scams are plotted over grams and rocks
Outlaws motherfuckers die by the random shots
We all die in the end, so revenge we swore
I was all about my ends, fuck friends and foes
Me, a born leader, never leave the block
Without my my heat or Glock got me a dog and named her "My Bitch Nigga Eater"
What could they do to me and lil' brat?
Shit, them niggas that shot me is still terrified I'll get they ass
How can I show you how I feel inside?
We Outlawz, motherfuckers can't kill my pride
Niggas talk a lot of shit, but that's after I'm gone
'Cause they fear me in physical form
Let it be known I'm troublesome
(Troublesome nigga)
(Outlawz)
Put it down to the fullest
Spittin' rhymes and bullet
All you niggas die
Troublesome
Y'all know what time it is
Call the punk police, they can't stop us
Niggas run the streets, we troublesome (all you niggas die)
We troublesome
Gutter ways, my mentality is ghetto
A guerrilla in this criminal war, we all rebels
Death before dishonor, better bomb on 'em first
Niggas knew we came for murder, pullin' up in a hearse
Westside was the war cry bustin off freely
Screamin', "Fuck, all y'all niggas" in Swahili
Pistol packin' fresh out of jail, I ain't goin' back
Release me to the care, of my heartless strap
Say my name three times like Candyman
Bet I roll on yo' ass like an avalanche
A sole survivor, learned to get high and pull drive-bys
Murder my foes, can't control my nine
Hearin' thoughts of my enemies pleadin' please
Busta-ass motherfuckers tried to flee
Picture me lettin' this chump survive
Ran up on his ass, when I dumped he died
'Cause I'm troublesome
Young, strapped, and I don't give a fuck
I'm hopeless
I live the thug Life, losin' my focus baby (all you niggas die)
I'm troublesome
Bad Boy killa
There is no one realer
What you saw was the rough rugged and raw (all you niggas die)
Outlaw!
"Murder murder" my mind state, shit ain't changed
Since my last rhyme the crime rate ain't decline
Niggas bustin' shots like they lost they mind
Like twenty-five to life never crossed they mind
Tell me young nigga never learned a thang
Dead at thirteen 'cause he yearned to bang
Sniffed a lot of flowers, but how could I cry
Tried to warn the little nigga either stop or die
Mercy is for the weak when I speak I scream
Afraid to sleep, I'm havin' crazy dreams
Vivid pictures of my enemies, family times
God forgive me 'cause it's wrong but I plan to die
Either take me in heaven and understand I was a sheep
Did the best I could, raised in insanity
Or send me to hell 'cause I ain't beggin' for my life
Ain't nuthin' worse than this cursed-ass hopeless life
I'm troublesome
In your wildest dreams you couldn't picture a nigga like me
(All you niggas die) I'm troublesome, I don't give a fuck
I'm troublesome like my nigga Napoleon said nigga
Somebody gotta explain why I ain't got shit (all you niggas die)
I'm troublesome
You know what time it is, the Outlaw clique
Young rugged and sick
Makaveli the Don the boss of all bosses (All you niggas die)
Musolini, Edi Amin
Hussein Fatal
Khadafi, Kastro
Napoleon, Khomeini (all you niggas die)
We ain't fuck around
We troublesome (bye bye, bye bye, all you niggas die) ayo
We troublesome
I ain't goin' (bye bye, bye bye, all you niggas die)
Young Kastro, the first to blast the last one to dash
Goin' for the hoes and the cash
Fuck you niggas, Outlawz!
Khadafi, trump tight never sloppy
Them motherfuckers try to copy
But they can't mock you nigga, you're too strong (all you niggas die)
Outlawz keep it goin' on
You know wassup
Outlawz, Outlawz (all you niggas die)
(Bye bye, bye bye, all you niggas die) Outlawz, Outlawz
This is dedicated to the real niggas
All the real troublesome soldiers on the streets
(Bye bye, bye bye, all you niggas die)
The lyrics of 2Pac's Troublesome '96 speak about the singer's life as a leader of the Outlaws, a group of people who engage in criminal activities. He describes himself as a "troublesome" person, and several lines refer to his association with violence. In one of the lines, he talks about making underhanded plans and carrying out attacks carefully, but in the end, it all leads to death. 2Pac shares his complicated relationship with his friends and foes, stating that he never leaves home without his weapons to protect himself. He also speaks of the damage others continue to inflict on him, even after he's gone. His lines contain many references to previous songs, including Candyman and Too Short.
Line by Line Meaning
Troublesome nigga
I am a troublesome individual.
Troublesome 19-motherfuckin' 96 (Westside!)
The year is 1996, and I represent the Westside.
Let it be known nigga
I want everyone to know.
Boss of all bosses, Makaveli
I am the leader of all leaders, like the legendary Machiavelli.
Menacin' methods label me a lethal weapon
My methods of intimidation are seen as deadly.
Makin' niggas die witnessin' breathless imperfections
My actions cause people to die while seeing their flaws.
Can you picture my specific plan?
Can you imagine my precise strategy?
To be the man in this wicked land underhanded hits are planned
I aim to be the top dog in this corrupt world, where sneak attacks are commonplace.
Scams are plotted over grams and rocks
Deceitful schemes are devised over drugs and money.
Outlaws motherfuckers die by the random shots
Rebel individuals may perish from stray gunfire.
We all die in the end, so revenge we swore
We will all face death eventually, which is why we seek revenge.
I was all about my ends, fuck friends and foes
I was only concerned with making money, and didn't care about anyone.
Me, a born leader, never leave the block
As a natural leader, I never leave my territory.
Without my my heat or Glock got me a dog and named her "My Bitch Nigga Eater"
I carry a gun for protection, and have a vicious dog as a companion.
What could they do to me and lil' brat?
There is nothing they could do to harm me or my protege.
Shit, them niggas that shot me is still terrified I'll get they ass
Those who shot me fear my retaliation.
How can I show you how I feel inside?
How can I express my emotions?
We Outlawz, motherfuckers can't kill my pride
As an Outlaw, my pride cannot be destroyed.
Niggas talk a lot of shit, but that's after I'm gone
People talk negatively only after I am no longer around.
'Cause they fear me in physical form
They fear me when I am present in the flesh.
Put it down to the fullest
I give my all in everything I do.
Spittin' rhymes and bullet
I rap and shoot guns with equal proficiency.
All you niggas die
All of my enemies will perish.
Gutter ways, my mentality is ghetto
I come from a rough background and still have a street mentality.
A guerrilla in this criminal war, we all rebels
I am a soldier in this battle, and we are all fighting against authority.
Death before dishonor, better bomb on 'em first
I would rather die than be dishonorable, so I will attack first.
Niggas knew we came for murder, pullin' up in a hearse
My adversaries knew that we were coming to kill them, arriving in a hearse.
Westside was the war cry bustin off freely
We shouted our allegiance to the Westside while shooting without hesitation.
Screamin', "Fuck, all y'all niggas" in Swahili
I curse at everyone in Swahili, not just English-speaking individuals.
Pistol packin' fresh out of jail, I ain't goin' back
I carry a gun because I recently got out of prison and don't want to go back.
Release me to the care, of my heartless strap
Set me free with my merciless weapon.
Say my name three times like Candyman
My name is notorious, like the fictional Candyman legend.
Bet I roll on yo' ass like an avalanche
I will attack you with overwhelming force, like a snow avalanche.
A sole survivor, learned to get high and pull drive-bys
I am the only one left standing, and have experience with drug use and drive-by shootings.
Murder my foes, can't control my nine
I kill my enemies with ease, and have no control over my gun.
Hearin' thoughts of my enemies pleadin' please
I hear my enemies begging for mercy in my mind.
Busta-ass motherfuckers tried to flee
My weak adversaries tried to run away.
Picture me lettin' this chump survive
Do you really think I would let this weak person live?
Ran up on his ass, when I dumped he died
I chased after him and killed him when I caught up.
Young, strapped, and I don't give a fuck
I am young, armed, and do not care about anything or anyone.
I'm hopeless
I have no hope for a better future.
I live the thug Life, losin' my focus baby
I live a life of crime and am losing sight of what is truly important.
Bad Boy killa
I am an enemy of Bad Boy Records.
There is no one realer
I am the most authentic.
What you saw was the rough rugged and raw
What you experienced was the unpolished, tough, and wild version of me.
"Murder murder" my mind state, shit ain't changed
My mentality has always been about killing, and it remains the same.
Since my last rhyme the crime rate ain't decline
The crime rate has not decreased since my last song.
Niggas bustin' shots like they lost they mind
People are firing guns crazily.
Like twenty-five to life never crossed they mind
They are not considering the consequences of their actions, such as a 25-year prison sentence.
Tell me young nigga never learned a thang
Explain to me how a young person never learns anything.
Dead at thirteen 'cause he yearned to bang
A thirteen-year-old is dead because he wanted to join a gang.
Sniffed a lot of flowers, but how could I cry
I have done a lot of drugs, but I cannot cry.
Tried to warn the little nigga either stop or die
I advised the young person to stop his dangerous behavior or face death.
Mercy is for the weak when I speak I scream
I have no compassion for weakness, and my voice is loud and aggressive.
Afraid to sleep, I'm havin' crazy dreams
I am scared to sleep because of the intense nightmares I have.
Vivid pictures of my enemies, family times
I have intense mental images of my enemies and their families.
God forgive me 'cause it's wrong but I plan to die
I know it is sinful, but I intend to die in a blaze of glory.
Either take me in heaven and understand I was a sheep
Either let me into heaven and understand that I was a follower, not a leader.
Did the best I could, raised in insanity
I did my best even though I was raised in an insane environment.
Or send me to hell 'cause I ain't beggin' for my life
Send me to hell if you must, because I refuse to beg for my life.
Ain't nuthin' worse than this cursed-ass hopeless life
There is nothing worse than living a cursed, hopeless life.
In your wildest dreams you couldn't picture a nigga like me
Even in your most creative imagination, you cannot conceive of someone like me.
This is dedicated to the real niggas
This song is for the genuine, authentic individuals out there.
All the real troublesome soldiers on the streets
All the genuine, troublesome individuals who wander the streets.
Outlawz, Outlawz
The Outlawz, my fellow rebels.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Johnny Lee Jackson, Tupac Amaru Shakur, Lawrence Smith, Jalil Hutchins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Agent Bosconian
on So Many Tears - Live
I fear only God and no human being
Even in the face of danger, I will stay strong
I have cried so much and fear that I might die soon
God, please guide me and take me to heaven if I die
I grew up in a sad, and lonely environment and it affected me in a gravely manner
I was abandoned; all alone and grew up in a community that was doomed to fail
My mind was greatly troubled and I couldn't be able to find my inner peace
I found solace and comfort in adopting a tough and rebellious lifestyle
Do you understand my pain and sorrow? I don't ever dwell on the past memories
To survive in a dangerous environment, you must react aggressively and quickly; in order to stay alive
I will always remember my friend, Kato. A good friend who has tragically died, and is no longer with us, anymore
I witnessed the day Kato perished on the streets and was calling for help
May Kato, and those who died before him, truly find peace in death
Is there really a place in heaven for a gangster like me? Always think and never forget about me
The friends that I once shared my laughter with; are now buried in their graves in the cemetery. I continue to shed countless tears for them; as I grieve for them
As I face many difficulties in the music industry, I will do whatever it takes to overcome it
People call me greedy and selfish for making money, yet they rarely can see me
I feel like I'm being cursed by the world and havin' disturbing; yet horrible premonitions
I have a fear that I will die and lie inside a coffin on a hearse, and want God's guidance and empathy
I want to escape from the problems, stress and the hurting of life
I yearned; longing for happiness and clarity in my troubled life
I'm trapped in jail and my life is in shambles
I feel like I'm doomed to go to Hell, but I don't know why
I'm in denial about my life, and I'm scared of death
If I go to hell, I will be in eternal pain and cry so much
I'm lost and tired, and I've cried so much
I'm contemplating suicide, so stay away from me
I'm intentionally moving towards death
I'm ready to die, and I feel like I have nothing to live for
The streets were ruthless, and I couldn't find peace
I'm on the verge of breaking down, and I long for peace
I lost my soul and my identity, but I was unaware
I had demons in my mind that were taking over
The demons inside me grew and ignited a fire
My head felt like a bomb ready to explode, it was a nasty game
I have no happy memories, only pain and sadness
I imagine my enemies murdering me in my sleep
I wonder if I'll live to see the next day
I ask God to pardon me for my wrongs as death approaches
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and...
God knows I tried my best, but I've seen people get killed
I witnessed innocent people, including children, being killed by drive-by shootings
I wonder why these tragedies happen as I pass by
I feel sad as I see the outline of a body on the ground and turn to drugs for comfort
I don't want this life, I want something different
There is no promising future for me; I'm trapped in the cycle of crime and violence
I feel like I'm in a never-ending maze
Alcohol made me act out and lose my mind
I've been disillusioned and now want a family
I want a family to see a better side of myself that isn't tainted by my past
I don't trust my girlfriend because she's been influenced by the negative environment around us
I hear rumors that my girlfriend is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle it
I collapse and pray for God to let me into heaven
I've cried countless tears and beg for God's mercy to let me into heaven
I've lost so many years and cried so many tears
God, I lost so many friends and associates, and cried so many tears
Aliyu
on 'Pac's Life
Nice
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
I am not afraid of anything or anyone other than God.
Even when I am in the darkest of times and places.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
I ask God to guide me and be with me in my journey through life.
Even as a child in elementary school, I found myself attracted to and surrounded by sadness and hopelessness.
I was abandoned and grew up among a generation of people who were doomed to fail.
My mind was constantly struggling, and I could not find a sense of peace or comfort anywhere.
I found a sense of identity and belonging when I got the tattoo of 'Thug Life' on my chest.
Do you understand the struggles and pain that I have experienced in my life?
I am not dwelling on my past mistakes, and if you want to be successful, you shouldn't be either.
In order to defend yourself and your community from violence, you must be the first one to take action. We should never forget Kato, who was killed due to senseless violence.
Kato is no longer with us and has passed away.
I witnessed violent crimes, and I've seen the aftermath of people being killed on the streets.
I hope Kato, and all those who have passed before him, are resting in peace.
Is there a place in heaven for someone like me, who has lived a life of violence and crime?
Remember me and all of my friends who have died and are now buried in the cemetery.
I address God.
I have experienced a lot of suffering throughout my life.
I have cried so many tears because of the pain and hardships I have faced in my life.
Now that I am struggling in the music industry.
I will do whatever it takes to succeed, even if it means being labeled as greedy and only focused on making money.
Even though I am chasing success, I rarely get to enjoy it or be seen by others.
I feel cursed and have a negative outlook on the world.
I am having visions of dying and leaving this world in a coffin.
I ask God if he can understand what I am going through and help me.
I want to be relieved of all the stress and suffering I feel.
I want to experience happiness again, which has been absent from my life for some time.
I feel like I am losing sight of what's important in my life.
I feel trapped in my current situation, and my quality of life is suffering as a result.
I already feel like I am destined to go to hell, and I question where I went wrong in my life.
I am unable to come to terms with my reality.
When I die, I fear that I will be punished forever in the afterlife.
I feel lost and tired.
I have cried so much that I am now having suicidal thoughts, so please don't be near me.
Everything I do feels like a complicated and difficult step.
To bring me closer to what I want to achieve.
I am prepared to accept death at any moment since I feel like I have nothing to live for.
Things were very rough and merciless on the streets.
I was never able to find peace or rest in that environment.
I am close to falling apart and screaming for peace.
Even though I was empty and lost, I couldn't understand or recognize it at the time.
My mind was plagued with negative thoughts and emotions, which were trying to escape constantly.
The negative thoughts and emotions had been planted long ago and have now taken root, and the flame of negativity is now growing stronger.
Just like a match can light a fire, the negative thoughts in my brain can also do the same, causing pain and suffering.
I have no good memories to comfort me, only sadness and suffering.
I am afraid of being attacked and killed by the people who hate me, even in my sleep.
I wonder if I will survive through the night to see the light of the new day?
I ask God for forgiveness for my past mistakes and wrongdoings.
I am trying to face my problems and come out stronger and better.
The Lord knows I have tried my best, and I have witnessed violent deaths in my community.
Drive-by shootings have resulted in the loss of many lives, including innocent children.
I wonder why these tragedies are happening in my community as I walk around and see the devastation.
I am saddened as I look at the markings on the pavement where someone has been killed, and the only way I can deal with this pain is by getting high.
I understand that this isn't the kind of life that I want for myself, and I want to change it.
I want to change my life for the better.
I feel like there is no future for me, no matter how hard I try to change.
I am trapped in the cycle of crime and violence that exists in my community.
I am lost and confused about how to get out of this situation.
The alcohol has influenced me to act more recklessly and dangerously.
I have lost faith and become cynical about life recently.
I have been wanting to have children and start a family.
I want to see a better version of myself in my children, someone who isn't always involved in negative activities.
I don't fully trust my partner because of the negative influence of our environment.
My partner has also been affected by the negative influences of our environment, and I am hearing strange noises because of how paranoid I am.
I am paranoid that my partner is cheating on me with my friends, and I can't handle the stress anymore.
I am begging God to forgive me and let me into heaven when I die.
I have lost many friends and acquaintances to violence and death.
As a result of these losses, I have cried many tears and experienced a lot of sadness.
I have experienced a lot of pain and suffering throughout my life.
A.Bosconian
on So Many Tears
The lyrics of Tupac Shakur's song "So Many Tears" explore the themes of paranoia, pain, and death. The first verse of the song presents Tupac's fearlessness of men, but not of God. The rapper then describes his life growing up, where he felt like he was surrounded by misery but found a sense of identity and belonging in the Thug Life culture. He mourns the deaths of his friends, particularly Kato, who was murdered in the streets. Tupac questions to himself whether there is heaven for a "G" and reflects on the many homies who died; that are now in the cemetery.
In the second verse, Tupac reveals his struggles in the music industry, where he feels overwhelmed by the pressure and pain. He admits to being greedy and having a vision of dying young. Tupac requests God to free him from the pain and suffering he experiences in life. The final verse of the song sees Tupac lost, weary, and suicidal. He delves into his struggles with addiction, and he starts to hear voices and experience demons in his mind. Tupac desires to change, but he feels trapped in the game, and he is unsure of his lady's loyalty.
Overall, Tupac Shakur's "So Many Tears" is a poignant song that reflects the artist's tumultuous life and his struggles with death and paranoia. The lyrics also tackle the harsh realities of growing up in the ghetto and the impact that violence and loss have on the psyche of an individual.
Gabriel Benard Cote
on California Love - Original Mix (Explicit)
2 pac is the best